MOI Reveals Sample Permanent Residency ID in Qatar

Good news for our dear expats who have been waiting for the implementation of the Permanent Residency Law! After the Qatar government approved the bill on permanent residency for qualified expats, the Ministry of Interior (MOI) recently held a press conference explaining the procedure for granting the Permanent Residency (PR) Card to qualified expatriates. A sample of the Permanent Residency ID has also been revealed, The Peninsula reported.

According to Brigadier Salem Saqr Al-Muraikhi, Director of Legal Affairs Department, the Permanent Residency Law was issued as an appreciation and honour for the expatriates who have spent long years in Qatar, and it provides them certain rights and privileges.

Granting of the PR Card in Qatar

Brig. Al Muraikhi explained the procedures and conditions for granting the PR card, as follows:

Procedure:

Application submission will be through the Ministry of Interior website or one of its electronic applications.

The application will be subjected to legal review and compliance to meet all requirements by legal auditors of the Committee.

The application will then be submitted to the Committee, which will issue recommendation on the application.

Once the application has been approved, it will be referred to the General Directorate of Passports for the issuance of the Permanent Residency Card.

Conditions for Granting PR Card:

The applicant should be a legal resident of Qatar for 20 consecutive years (if born outside Qatar) or 10 consecutive years (if born in the country), whatever the case may be, prior to the date of application for the PR card. The period when the applicant is staying outside the country for 60 days in a year shall be deducted from the time calculated as residency in the country, and will not undermine the clause of continuous stay of the applicant.

The applicant should have enough income to meet his needs as well as his dependents.

The applicant should possess good conduct and reputation and has not been convicted of any crimes inside or outside Qatar.

The applicant should be fluent in Arabic language.

Exemptions from the Above Conditions:

Children of Qatari women married to a non-Qatari man

Non-Qatari husband of a Qatari woman

Non-Qatari wife of a Qatari man

Children of Qataris by naturalization

Individuals who have done great services to the country

Individuals with special competencies needed by the country

Rights and Privileges of PR Cardholders:

The PR cardholder may receive treatment and education in government institutions within the State, in accordance with conditions and regulations.

The spouse of the cardholder and his/her children shall enjoy the privileges granted to the PR cardholder, such as residence, health, and education. The children can enjoy such privileges until they reach the age of 18 years.

The PR cardholder will have the right to invest in activities of the national economy sectors, even without a Qatari partner, provided that the establishment of the company is in accordance with the law governing commercial companies.

The PR cardholder may own real estate for housing and investment, in accordance with conditions and regulations.

The PR cardholder may leave and return to the country during the period of the card’s validity, without obtaining any consent or permit.

Brig. Al Muraikhi noted that this initiative will increase investment and attract more capital, leading to economic growth in the country. The State will also benefit from individuals with special competencies. He explained that the Permanent Residency Law will be implemented as soon as it is published in the Official Gazette.

If you think you qualify for Permanent Residency, and you would like to stay “for good” in Qatar — why not give it a go? On the other hand, if you are planning to exit the country sometime soon, check out this article on how to cancel your Qatar residence visa and process your exit permit. The choice is all up to you!